Wetlands Fact Sheet #2
The Functional and Economic Values
of Wetlands
Wetland Functions and Values
Wetlands provide important ecologic and economic benefits
to the human, biological, and physical environment. These
benefits are known as functions and values. Common
wetland functions include:
• Fish and wildlife habitat
• Water quality protection
• Groundwater recharge and discharge
• Erosion protection and shoreline stabilization
• Recreation, education, cultural resources, and open space
• Flood control
Though wetlands perform a variety of functions, not all
wetlands function equally and not all wetlands perform
all functions. Factors affecting wetland function include
location, size, vegetation diversity, hydrology, and disturbance
level. Even though an individual wetland may not perform
all wetland functions, the cumulative value of all wetlands in
an entire watershed makes each important. Wetland values
are the benefits to humans that are derived from a wetland’s
features, processes, or setting.
Fish and Wildlife Habitat
Wetlands are among the most biologically productive
habitats in the world, providing substantial biodiversity.
Many fish and wildlife species rely on wetland habitat for
a variety of reasons, including breeding, nesting, foraging,
travel, and refuge. Wetlands are important transition areas
between terrestrial and aquatic habitats and can support a
great diversity of species. Moose and other wildlife feed
and migrate through wetlands. Fish species rely on wetlands
for food and protection from predators. Wetlands also
provide summer staging and breeding grounds for resident
and migratory birds, including a variety of waterfowl and
shorebird species.
Wetlands are critical for a healthy salmon population.
Water Quality
Wetlands help maintain water quality through filtration,
purification, retention of sediment and toxic substances,
and nutrient removal. Wetlands retain excess nutrients and
filter sediments and other pollutants that might otherwise
enter waterways. Examples of pollutants include fuel, oil,
heavy metals, pesticides, and septic tank effluent. Peatlands,
a common type of Mat-Su wetland, have a huge capacity
to absorb sediments and pollutants. As water flows through
wetlands, a large amount of suspended solids can be removed
from the water.
Wetland vegetation also helps trap and filter suspended
sediments. In urban and developing urban areas, trapping
and retaining excess sediments, nutrients, and other
pollutants is important, especially when a wetland is
connected to groundwater or surface waterbodies important
for fish habitat, drinking water, fishing, recreation, or other
activities.
For more information, please visit our website at: http://www.matsugov.us/wetlands
The Functional and Economic Values of Wetlands
Groundwater Recharge and Discharge
Wetlands can function as both recharge and discharge
areas for groundwater. Wetlands absorb and hold surface
water and allow it to slowly move into the groundwater.
The replenishing of groundwater is particularly important
in the Mat-Su because most residents and cities depend
on groundwater for drinking water—especially the case
in the Mat-Su Core Area, where wetlands help maintain
the water quality and flow of shallow, unconfined aquifers.
Wetlands are generally not isolated pockets, but rather are
outcroppings of the water table: the same water used for
drinking, washing, and cooking.
Many wetlands are created by groundwater discharge.
Wetlands serve as the transition point between groundwater
and surface water. The water exchange between groundwater
aquifers and surface water provides a major pathway for
the transfer of essential nutrients to plants. Discharged
groundwater can serve as the primary source of water for
wetlands, streams, lakes, and ponds. For example, wetlands
can contribute to stream flow by allowing the groundwater to
slowly be released into streams. This is an important function
during dry periods of the year where the water levels of
streams and water bodies may be low.
Erosion Protection and Shoreline
Stabilization
Wetlands located along lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams
help protect and stabilize the shoreline soils from erosion.
Wetland plants can reduce wave action and provide shoreline
stability by binding the soil in place with their root systems.
Wetland vegetation controls shoreline soil erosion adjacent
to Mat-Su lakes, rivers, and streams, and can collect soil that
has eroded from upland areas, preventing its entry into a
waterbody.
Recreation, Education, Cultural Resources,
and Open Space
Wetlands and areas adjacent to wetlands support a wide
range of recreational activities including fishing, dog
mushing, snow machining, hunting, hiking, canoeing and
boating, skiing, and wildlife viewing. These activities support
our local economy and lifestyles. According to the MSB,
Alaska residents visit the Mat-Su an estimated 3 million
times each year for recreational purposes.
The sport fish industry is one of the key economic drivers
in the Mat-Su. In addition to fishing, many residents and
visitors hunt waterfowl and game species associated with
wetlands, further adding to the local economy. The quality of
these experiences depends in large measure on the health of
the wetlands in the Mat-Su. In addition to these recreation
opportunities, wetlands provide open space as well as
educational and cultural resources opportunities.
Flood Control
Wetlands help to regulate the flow of water. Although
wetlands cannot prevent major flood events, they can serve
to reduce damage and regulate stream flow during smaller,
more common floods. Wetlands often function like sponges
by slowing water or retaining it in underlying soils. Without
wetlands, water would move much more quickly across
the land and increase flooding and erosion of valuable soil,
stream banks, homes, and fish habitat. By reducing the speed
and amount of water entering rivers or streams, wetlands
lessen the destructiveness of flooding. Repair of flood
damages is expensive, whereas wetland protection can be a
relatively low-cost preventative measure.
Wetlands absorb stormwater, which slows runoff and reduces
flooding. This function is particularly important in urban
areas where there are large areas of impervious surface, such
as parking lots, which can lead to more rapid runoff and high
peak flows.
All wetlands are not created
equal.
While wetlands provide many ecologically important functions and benefits, not all wetlands perform all functions.
When wetlands lose a function such as fish or wildlife habitat, it may not be replaceable. The consequences to wetlands
values can have negative effects on local recreation, tourism,
hunting, and fishing industries. Avoiding negative effects to
wetlands through careful planning and management is vital
to maintaining their functions and values.
SALMON LOVE WETLANDS
For more information, please visit our website at: http://www.matsugov.us/wetlands